overall build quality
metering system
ease of operation
features

back seems flimsy but ok
battery muncher

Wow!! Just bought mine the end of October 2000 and now do not have a single regret. At the time I "plunged" into the F-100, thinking I was an idiot for passing up the new N90, that I was getting sucked in by hype to the tune of a few extra hundred dollars. The N90 is quite fine in itself but the F100, combined with the SB-28 Speedlite and a Tamron 28-300, has really given me quality surpassing my expectations. I'm a bit irritated at some of the "pros" here, giving the camera great reviews but in the end, d***ing it with faint praise because (in my opinion) the F100 is so popular with "serious amateurs". Next time you're watching a press conference or any event with a media throng, look closely at how many F-100's you see being snapped--TONS of them!! I see a few guys with an F5 but I rather pity them and their stubbon snobbery...Anyway, every technical gee-whiz reference has already regurgitated here, ad nauseum...If you're a serious photographer or have aspirations to be, BUY THIS CAMERA. I think it's fine to start off with a little Minolta Maxxum or similar until you determine if serious photography is really for you. I think it's also silly and a waste of money, however, to decide to take that next step up but only doing it half-a&@. Getting a great camera like the F-100, a great flash like the SB-28 and a fine lens is not that much more, in the end, than buying decent mid-grade equipment. You will be a better photog for it--think about it--learning how to expertly drive a Camaro in no way prepares you for the experience and expertise required for driving a Corvette. I really believe the key to Nikon and specifically the F-100, is the metering system--totally DEAD ON. Light is obviously so critical to photography and those who have this camera know what I mean....Look at your snap shots taken indoors near windows or the slow sync shots--everything is exposed perfectly...Don't short yourself by getting a crappy lens either, of course. I could not justify the cost of buying 2.8 lenses but still, get a good one from Nikon, Tokina or Tamron...If you are considering buying the F-100 but are still stuck on price, go get one of 'em from a reliable Ebay seller. I've seen the body only go for $800, being almost brand new. I hated to spend the money I did on this camera for ANYTHING, unless it's a car, furniture, et al. but I know this will be the last camera purchase I'll ever make...It will be impossible for Nikon to ever surpass this camera when all feature/weight/durability factors are taken into consideration.....BITE THE BULLET--JUST DO IT MAN!!

Customer Service

never used

Similar Products Used:

N90S
Leica
Minolta 9xi
Canon

really tough, works beautifully with SB28 flash and SC17 cord, great for fast action shooting, I can count on it for anything.

searches for af in low light a lot, hard to reach some functions with shorter fingers, battery hog, meter for fill flash is about 1/2 stop hot

I run some wher around 20 rolls a week through the camera in black and white and color, and I find that now that I know certain quirks, I can almost always count on my gear. I like using it , (with different lens, and lighting) for things like studio work, landscape, and some architectural photography as well as for photojournalism for work. I love having it. In terms of a 35 system, I don't think anything comes close when you consider the price versus the F5, and Canons just seem like garbage compared to it. I like it's versitility, and I think this is what people have in mind when they think of a pro level camera

Customer Service

haven't used it

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FM2N, Nikon F4s, Nikon N90s, Canon Eos A2, Canon Eos Rebel G, and selected Medium and large format cameras.

Build
Features
AF Speed
Metering
Nikon

Battery life
Expensive accessories

I have this camera for a year now, but I do not have any real complains. This was a big step from my old F50, but was a worthwhile investment. I would buy it again (as I did, when my first F100 got stolen).

Customer Service

Decent

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F80 (N80)
Nikon F50 (N50)

-Fits hand like a glove
-Body has a durable feel
-Rewind in silent mode is extemely quiet: great for shooting theater
-Viewfinder made of high quality optical glass
-Essential functions can be controlled with one hand: shutter button, shutter speed selected by index finger, aperture selected by thumb, on/off on a collar ring around shutter button.
-Entire body is very water resistent

-Back that it comes with is made of plastic and feels cheap relative to the rest of the body
-Back connects to the camera with what looks like a watchpin, it seems breakable

This is a great all around camera for the very serious amature and professional. Accessories/lenses are very expensive, but that is what one must pay to get durability and optical quality. I have used this camera for just about everything including swim meets where the entire top and front were splashed with water. The buttons must be sealed well against the elements as the camera's performance was unscathed. The light-up LCD, bright focussing squares and quiet rewind in silent mode make this a great camera for theater.
-Unlike some Canons and lower end Nikons, this camera has no "dummy mode" that completely decides what to do for you and if it will take the picture at all. However, for the more serious photographer who has an understanding of exposure, the camera's no nonsense qualities will in the end produce better photographs than any camera that tries to offers 20 "modes" to produce the photos that the beginner photographer doesn't understand how to make himself.

Customer Service

None so far

Similar Products Used:

None, this is my first camera with a built in motor drive and autofocus.

- easy to use
- many options
- very good results
- reliable

- heavy

A lovely camera with many options to fullfill any demand. It is easy to use and a reliable and solidly build camera.

Customer Service

never called them

Similar Products Used:

- none

A light-weight F5. A good upgrade from my trusted F4s

After the MB-15, it is huge, and close to the weight of the F5

From the F4s to F100, it's easy to see Nikon has gotten many things right. AF speed and noise are significantly improved, esp with my 17-35 AFS and 28-70 AFs lenses. Excellent. I have also added the MB15, mainly for the vertical release. If I dont need the vertial release, I just take it out in 'stock' form. Fine camera indeed.
But no mirror lockup as many have commented... and no eyepiece blinds?
The two dials on my F100 are on the stiff side. Maybe I am just not used to dials yet.

Customer Service

I bought the F100 about 2 yrs ago and brought it with me on a trip to Japan. In the BEGINNING of the trip, I dropped the camera. It was on my lap while I was in the car, and when I got out of the car, I forgot about the camera, and the camera was thrown from my lap to the ground (concrete). The bottom dented, but worked apparently. Anyway, I shot 30 rolls on that trip. The result was ok. Anyway, I brought the camera to have it checked up and Nikon said the prism was 'shifted' a little and fixed it for me for free.

Similar Products Used:

F4s

Fast auto focus
Metal construction
Ease of use
Handles well
Many custom features
Good metering system
Excellent fill flash interface with SB28

Problematic soft ware
Plastic back & locks
No mirror lock up
Battery consumption

This is a updated review from the one I submitted on 3-15-00.
I have had the F100 for over a year now & my latest review reflects my dissappointment with Nikon's apparent soft ware glitches. This is not to say that I don't like the camera because I do.
It's just a shame that this persistent problem with certain Nikon F100's mars an otherwise fine camera.
My software problem as per Nikon is called " intermittent lost finder display". That is Nikon's name for loosing the finder display for some unknown reason. It has been to Nikon for repair twice & they have replaced according to Nikon's repair statement just about every electronic part associated with this problem & it stills persists.Fortunately the display returns by turning the power switch off & then on again.
A sad commentary for Nikon quality controll. Other than that software glitch the F100 is a remarkable camera & deserves all the glowing reviews it receives on this review site. I'm just reporting this software glitch as a heads up for new F100 buyers to be aware that Nikon does have a software problem with some F100'S. I'm glad I still have my N90s which has served me well with no problems & continues to do so after many years of use. It is my constant back up to the F100.I have lowered my overall rating of the F100 because of the above software glitch.

Customer Service

Have used it twice for F100 soft ware problem

Similar Products Used:

Canon Elan IIE
Nikon N90s
Nikon A/F 80-200 ED 2.8D
Nikon A/F 35-70 ED 2.8D
Nikon A/F 50 1.8
Nikon A/F 24 2.8D
Nikon A/F 60 2.8D

It's a photographic computer, not a camera.
Fast! AF.
Great metering system.
Works real well with SB-28.
Controls are in easy reach.
So far, very reliable.
Price - for a photographic computer.
It's a Nikon.

A little heavy, but it depends on the lens.
Some people don't care about the lack of a mirror lock. I do.
As everyone else says, a real battery hog.
I can't believe that something as simple as a cable release thread is not included. I know that there are some good reasons, but I resent the necessity of having to purchase and expensive dedicated "remote cord."
Automatic rewind makes the rewind of a partial roll much more of a problem than with my old manual cameras.

A geat camera. Why would anyone buy an F5 or one of those Canon break-the-bank models with this on the market? The camera offers so much that I may become a lazy "point and shoot" photographer more often than I should. So far it has been very sturdy and reliable. This is a complex piece of equipment and should not be considered by the casual photographer with a large wallet who is looking for "the best." You had better be prepared to pay the price in terms of jumping the learning curve. I have found the Magic Lantern Guide to the F100 very helpful in this respect. All in all, I love this camera. I won't be looking at any other equipment until they get digital right.

Customer Service

Not so far.

Similar Products Used:

My first AF camera body.

Very solid feeling camera. Trusty meter. Nikon name recognition.

Very finicky electronics. Mine have had the following - LCD blinks and then locks (cleaned the batteries, new batteries, Nikon only lens, but still persists); back dial unresponsive (loose contacts); and there is something wrong with the film take-up spool.

Overall, not very reliable.

Too many electronic bugs to ignore. Not just mine but read the Nikon mailing list for more.

Customer Service

Great - Nikon tried hard to remedy - gave me new camera which was better but bugs were still present. I gave up and still use the 90x.

Similar Products Used:

None

Built like a tank.
Fast focusing speed.
Fits my hands like a glove.

Weight

I have been extremely happy with this camera since I bought it 6 months ago. The body's contours fits my hands perfectly and although I wish that it was a little lighter sometimes(especially when I am traveling), I like the heft of this solid camera. I have not had any software glitches like others have reported(knock on wood!). The viewfinder is excellent(large and bright. I have also used this with a Nikon SB28 and SC17 cord and have been able to produce highly satisfying images. If you are in the market for a solid well designed SLR, you won't go wrong with the F100.

Customer Service

None needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N80, N60, N90